Courtnee Futch (she/her) chats with Derek about how she’s making cooking accessible, making the most of the resources you have, and how we should start giving ourselves permission and stop gatekeeping our potential. They wrap up with some great advice about how we can all bring a dose of Southern Hospitality to our daily lives.


Courtnee Futch, chef, baker, author, and entrepreneur, believes that the best food is meant to feel like home.  The Atlanta native has been baking and cooking professionally since the age of 17, when founding ThunderCakes Bakery and years later founding The Spred Catering Company. To complement her love of food, Courtnee also trained as a mixologist in Paris. To her, craft cocktail pairings serve as the final frill in a well-rounded dining experience.


In her first cookbook, Early Enough, Courtnee encourages home chefs of all levels to get experimental with their brunch palette while using accessible ingredients. Courtnee is currently based in Jersey City. 


Follow Courtnee on Instagram: @courtnee.mfchef


Order Courtnee’s first cookbook, Early Enough via her website.